People who used to love - and now miss - Walter's Delicatessen on Grand Avenue in Maspeth will be glad to know it will reopen in April.

Friends Frank DiGiovanna and Adam Caccavle, recently purchased the deli from founders and husband-and-wife team Walter and Mary, who opened the local eatery in 1963, featuring various authentic American, German, and Italian foods and salads.

Growing up in Maspeth, DiGiovanna couldn’t imagine opening his first food business anywhere but his old neighborhood. As a kid, he was a regular at Walter's Deli.

“We want to run a family deli, and Walter's Delicatessen was a great deli to start with,” he said. “It was a famous deli in the neighborhood, and we all liked coming here.”

He and his new business partners plan to keep the name.

“Walter and Mary have been helping us with rebuilding and teaching the way to keep the traditional deli,” said DiGiovanna. “And this is our way to respect them, without changing its original name that belongs to a great reputation in Maspeth.”

DiGiovanna always has passion for food and wanted to be a chef. He eventually went to Aviation High School and then plumber’s school for five years. Now a supervisor at Con Edison, his love for food drove him to follow his dream.

DiGiovanna and Caccavle bought Walter’s Deli last December. For the most part, they are planning to keep it the same way, with some minor renovations.

“We are taken over an established deli and we want to keep the same tradition and food,” said DiGiovanna.

In fact, Mary will be a part of the staff, contributing her German-salad recipes to the menu.

“At the new deli, people will have again the famous Italian and German salads,” said DiGiovanna.

Best of luck Frank and Adam in your new business. We know it will be the best. Most of the store is entirely new including the stove and the refrigerators. Congratulations and welcome back Maria! The people in the area can't wait for Walter's to reopen. We will be regular customers, too!